So long TypePad, hello WordPress! After some careful consideration and a few months spent using WordPress for another project, it became obvious that it was time to migrate my blog to a new platform. I have fond memories of TypePad,... Continue reading

Feet First | 313 Sunday, 17 July I left the house to read at the local cafe, where I could get an uninterrupted hour to finish Catching Fire, the second book in the Hunger Games series. (Review to come.) Continue reading

Feet First | 306 Sunday, 10 July Had a lovely sail on the lake. Good strong wind and not a lot of power boat traffic. Feet First | 307 Monday, 11 July We had a wicked storm blow through early... Continue reading

For a while now, I've been telling myself I'm going to apply myself, pick up my camera and get out there shooting photographs. The only way I'm going to get any better and improve my craft is to shoot, shoot,... Continue reading

Feet First | 305 Saturday, 9 July Saturday I went to the Y to watch JD's swimming lesson. There were a few tears and not a whole lot of swimming on her part, but it was only her third lesson.... Continue reading

Feet First | 304 Friday, 8 July I was doing a lot of running around Friday and needed an energy boost so I treated myself to a drink from the juice bar at the natural foods store where I get... Continue reading

Feet First | 301 Tuesday, 5 July The past few weeks, JD has been very focused on reading hazard labels and warning signs, be they on a small plastic package or a street sign. She can dramatically recite the standard... Continue reading

Feet First | 299 Sunday, 3 July For reasons I've never quite understood, many communities in the Chicago area have their Fourth of July fireworks displays on the third. The city of Chicago used to as well, but this year... Continue reading

Feet First | 298 Saturday, 2 July Barbecuing steak with chimichurri sauce and some veggies from the Farmer's Market. Made a berry crumble, which if it's good, will be my new go-to summer berry dessert. Continue reading

Feet First | 297 Friday, 1 July Threw some shrimp on the barbecue last night, along with some mushrooms and yellow spring onions, and a salad--everything but the shrimp from our CSA box. The red pepper pasta was imported last... Continue reading

Feet First | 296 Thursday, 30 June Yesterday evening I finally had a chance to fertilize the backyard plants, thereby insuring that it would rain. And boy, did it ever. About an hour later, the wind picked up, the light... Continue reading

Feet First | 294 Tuesday, 28 June Tuesday, instead of our regular bar night, we hung out on Karen's back deck and tapped the growler of Aloha Ale that we brought back from Great Lakes Brewing Co. Continue reading

Took a long weekend to road-trip out to Cleveland where I hitched a ride on a friend's family reunion. Lots of fun, laughter and great food. Feet First | 289 Thursday, 23 June On the way there, we stopped in... Continue reading

Feet First | 288 Wednesday, 22 June JD and I took our first trip of the season to Lincoln Park Zoo today, and no visit to the zoo is complete without a ride on the merry-go-round. I always find this... Continue reading

Feet First | 287 Tuesday, 21 June Here I am, hanging out in the basement bathroom with the cats, while we waited 40 minutes for the tornado warning to be called off. It's very rare to have a full-on, head-to-the-basement... Continue reading

Feet First | 286 Monday, 20 June Monday was a rainy day, so JD and I hit the library for a while. She was preparing a puppet show, which really meant she was just standing behind the curtain making announcements... Continue reading

We'll be in Paris for a few days and then down to the Canal du Midi (via the TGV) to where we'll rent a boat and navigate down the canal from Castlenaudary to Homps for a week. I'm very excited! I'm afraid I remember pathetic little French from high school and college--ancient history.
I assume you've been--I'd love to know any recommendations you might have.

Feet First | 285 Sunday, 19 June This is the owl that sits on the deck of the boat when we're not there, scaring away the other birds. Come to think of it, we need to give this guy a... Continue reading